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� .' RIVER RATING Text: Aaron Bible Photography: Dan Gavere "Normal whitewater boaters look forward to paddling flatwater with the same enthusiasm they have for contracting herpes, " -author and old-school kayaker William Nealy of Difficulty outlined below is only just the beginning. River classification is the rating ' applied to sections of rivers and rapids-it is rarely accurate to classify an en�ver. It describes the general level of difficulty and navigability by paddlecra Before you run rivers, you need to know what you're getting in�. fhe)nternational Scale levels, and this differs sl ightly depending on whetW you�are in �-c.anoe ratt-Bf kayak. River classification also varies with exposure, temperature �nd 10catibn�Be sure to seek qualified advice and/or instruction before running ny� ive whitewater classification: fl at certai �ate f�six - rTl i les per hour with a few riffles " small waves, and few or no obstructions. r � \ .,. �S�e'1 I tle' r eY- ' CLASS II is Moderate. Easy eddies and bends punctuate frequent but unobstructed rapids. Lines are easy to recognize with waves no higher than three feet. Some maneu- CLASS III is Moderate to Difficult. Maneuvering is definitely necessary to have fun on Class III water with its numerous rapids and high, irregular waves. Lines may not be clear and scouting of major rapids is advised. CLASS IV is Difficult A reliable roll in a kayak is required and an ability to read difficult. broken water is advised for both rafters and kayakers. Waves are high and irregular with many obstacles and small eddies. Long stretches of rapids and rugged waterside terrain may make rescue difficult. CLASS V is Very Difficult. It features extended, difficult. rock-laden rapids with com- pletely irregular water, fast eddies and strong cross currents. Rescue conditions can be dif- ficult and kayakers must have a reliable roll. It should only be run by expert-guided rafts or teams of expert kayakers. CLASS VI is considered the Limit of Navigability and may be either unrunnable or nego tiable only at certain water levels. Class VI cannot be run without risking life and/or limb. • For more information, check out the book Catch Every Eddy ... Surf Every Wave: A Contemporary Guide to Whitewater Playboating, Tom Foster and Kel Kelly, Outdoor Centre of New England, 1995. • • • I • �.own)on �